The name, “Ether Ship,” was based on the book “Cosmic Pulse of Life” by Trevor James Constable (San Pedro, CA, 1976). The Ether Ship, on the physical plane, was a musical group of three to eight musicians.

Members:

• Willard Van De Bogart — Organ, synthesizer, voice and tapes
• Michael “Lemon” DeGeorge — Electric harmonica, saxophone and tapes
• Dave Korman — Electric bass
• Will Jackson — Guitar & synthesizer
• Liz Bryant — Voice
• Selwin Lisak — Drums
• Tom McVeety — Electric cello
• Walter Steding — Electric violin
• The group sought to create a state of mind allowing free association of ideas through variations in tonal structure and laser light patterns projected through rotating crystals, aiming to produce harmonies of sound and light that could exist independently within human experience — creating a new space for the mind to experience itself.

The Ether Ship was formerly called the Electric Synphony (1972–1976). In August 1979 it dissolved as a live performing group. In January 1980, Ether Ship Productions was established as a record production company. On May 17, 1982, a contract was signed with artist Pauline Anna Strom to produce tapes and records (Willard Van De Bogart, executive producer; manufactured by Arkay Records, San Jose, CA, Catalog No. AR3289; recorded at Crib Studios, San Francisco, engineered by Michael “Lemon” DeGeorge).

In 1994 the Ether Ship was re-established virtually in cyberspace after 15 years suspended in the “4th dimension.” A complete portfolio of 35mm slides, photographs, notes, and brochures exists documenting both the Electric Synphony and Ether Ship eras.

List of Recorded Concerts (originals held at Lemon DeGeorge Productions, San Francisco):

• 4 Cable Place — Electric Synphony, Dec. 1983, Pittsburgh, PA
• Swamp Concert — Electric Synphony, June 1974, State College, PA
• We Are Here — Willard Van De Bogart, July 20, 1974, Paris, France
• Fresh Energies — Electric Synphony, November 1974, Leona Theatre, Homestead, PA
• Full Moon on Mankind Research — Electric Synphony, July 1975, Washington, DC
• Astro & Chroma Environments — Ether Ship, Nov. 3, 1976, San Francisco, CA
• A Cosmic Journey — Ether Ship, Sept. 5, 1977, San Francisco, CA
• Spring Harmony Festival — Ether Ship, May 21, 1978, Rohnert, CA
• ETI (Ether Ship Transmission) — Ether Ship, Oct. 25, 1978, San Francisco, CA
• Down to Earth in Ships — Ether Ship, March 1, 1979, San Francisco, CA
• Astro Turf (2nd Annual Haight Ashbury Street Fair) — Ether Ship, June 11, 1979, San Francisco, CA
• Deep End (1708 Waller Street) — Ether Ship, June 12, 1979, San Francisco, CA
• New Instructions (Willard & Lemon) — Ether Ship, July 23, 1979, San Francisco, CA
• Search for Tomorrow (sampler package) — Ether Ship, 1978–79

“Lemon” DeGeorge later did the soundtrack for the film Genghis Blues, escorting blind San Francisco bluesman Paul Pena to Tuva in outer Mongolia. He also played in the band “Neither Neither World.”